If you grew up with a TV in the mid-90s, you probably remember a kid with a red hat and a weirdly specific attitude toward authority. Little Pete Wrigley wasn't your average Nickelodeon protagonist. He was a pint-sized nihilist with a personal soundtrack. But honestly, the thing that stuck with everyone—the image that basically defined the show's surrealist vibe—was the Pete and Pete Petunia tattoo.
It was a woman. She wore a red dress. She lived on his forearm. And when he flexed his muscles, she danced.
For a generation of kids, Petunia was the first introduction to the idea that body art could be more than just "tough" or "scary." It could be weird. It could be a character in its own right. Decades later, fans of The Adventures of Pete & Pete are still obsessed with the lore of that ink. People are actually getting real Petunia tattoos today, which says a lot about the staying power of a show that featured a man named Artie, the Strongest Man in the World, wearing spandex in a suburban driveway.
The Secret History of the Dancing Lady
The Pete and Pete Petunia tattoo wasn't just a random prop choice. It was a statement. According to the show's creators, Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi, the tattoo was meant to signify Little Pete’s independence. He was a kid, sure, but he had the soul of an old merchant marine.
Danny Tamberelli, the actor who played Little Pete, was actually quite young when the show started. Obviously, a network like Nickelodeon wasn't going to let a ten-year-old get permanent ink. So, Petunia was a daily ritual in the makeup chair. It was a complex process. They didn't just slap a sticker on him and call it a day. The makeup artists had to ensure the placement was perfect so that when Danny flexed his forearm, the "dance" looked fluid.
It worked.
The "Petunia Dance" became a cultural touchstone. It usually happened when Little Pete was gearing up for a confrontation with a neighborhood bully like Papercut or the legendary Endless Mike Hellstrom. It was his battle cry.
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Interestingly, there’s a bit of a myth that the tattoo was based on a real person. While the show's writers drew from their own eccentric childhoods in suburbia, Petunia was more of a symbol of the show’s "magical realism." In the world of Wellsville, a kid having a tattoo wasn't even the strangest thing happening on a Tuesday. The tattoo gave Pete a sense of mythic weight. It made him feel older than his years, which was the whole point of his character arc.
Why Petunia Still Matters to Tattoo Culture
You might think a 30-year-old kids' show wouldn't have much influence on modern tattoo shops, but you’d be wrong. Search Instagram or Pinterest for "90s nostalgia tattoos" and Petunia pops up constantly.
Why?
Because the Pete and Pete Petunia tattoo represents a very specific kind of rebellion. It’s not aggressive. It’s quirky. It’s about being an outsider and being totally okay with that. When people get this tattoo today, they aren't just honoring a TV show; they’re honoring the feeling of being a "weird kid" in a world that wants everyone to be normal.
There’s also the aesthetic. The design is classic "American Traditional" style—bold black outlines, a limited color palette of red and yellow, and a simple, iconic silhouette. It fits perfectly into the current trend of retro-revival ink.
If you're thinking about getting one, there are a few things to keep in mind. Authentic Petunias should look like the original makeup design. She has a very specific "shimmy" pose.
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- Placement is everything. If you want the dance to work, you have to put it on the forearm or the calf where muscle movement can actually shift the skin.
- Keep the colors bold. The original Petunia was a vibrant red. Don't go for a watercolor or fine-line look if you want to stay true to the Wellsville spirit.
- Respect the squiggle. The way her arms are positioned is key to the silhouette.
The Logistics of a TV Tattoo
Let’s talk about the practical side of how they pulled this off on set. They used a combination of medical-grade adhesive transfers and hand-painted touches. Because the show was filmed in the heat of New Jersey summers, the makeup team had to constantly touch her up.
Danny Tamberelli has mentioned in various interviews and at nostalgia conventions like 90s Con that the "tattoo" was a badge of honor. It took time to apply, but it helped him get into character. It gave him that edge.
There was actually a brief moment in the series where Petunia "fell in love." Remember the episode with the "Orange Lazarus" slushy? The show treated the tattoo as a sentient being, which added to the surrealist charm. It wasn't just ink; it was a companion. That kind of writing is why the show has such a massive cult following today. It respected the inner lives of children, even the parts that were completely absurd.
What Most People Get Wrong About Petunia
A common misconception is that Petunia was the only tattoo on the show. While she’s the most famous, the world of Pete & Pete was littered with weird visual markers. But Petunia stood out because she was "alive."
Another thing people forget is that the tattoo was occasionally hidden or used as a plot point for Little Pete’s "grown-up" problems. It wasn't just a background detail. It was a catalyst.
Some fans also mistakenly believe the tattoo was real. It definitely wasn't. Danny Tamberelli did eventually get some real tattoos as an adult, but during the filming of the show, he was just a kid with a very dedicated makeup team. The fact that people still ask him if it was real is a testament to how good the practical effects were for the time.
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How to Get Your Own Wellsville-Inspired Ink
If you’re ready to commit to the Pete and Pete Petunia tattoo, don’t just walk into a shop and ask for "the lady from that 90s show." Bring reference photos.
Look for high-resolution stills from the episode "The Nightcrawlers" or "The Valentine's Day Massacre." These give the best view of the line work. You want an artist who specializes in traditional styles. Ask them to focus on the "motion" of the design.
Honestly, the best Petunia tattoos I've seen are the ones that don't try to make her look "modern." Keep her looking like she was drawn by a talented carny in 1992. That’s the vibe.
Actionable Steps for the Nostalgic Fan
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Wellsville or get your own piece of Petunia history, here’s how to do it right.
- Watch the "The Polybius" episode. It’s a masterclass in how the show used visual symbols.
- Follow the creators. Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi are often active in the fan community and share behind-the-scenes sketches of the original character designs.
- Check out Danny Tamberelli’s social media. He often shares fan art of Petunia and talks about the legacy of the character.
- Find a "Traditional" tattoo artist. Look for portfolios featuring heavy black lines and solid color fills. This is the only way to make Petunia look authentic.
- Think about the "Dance." Before the needle hits the skin, flex your arm. See how the skin moves. Work with your artist to place her where she can actually move.
The Pete and Pete Petunia tattoo isn't just a piece of nostalgia; it’s a tribute to a time when television was brave enough to be genuinely weird. It’s a reminder that no matter how small you are, you can have a voice—and maybe a dancing lady on your arm to help you use it.
Stick to the original color palette of bright red for the dress and bold black for the hair and outlines. Avoid adding too much detail to the face; part of the charm was her somewhat minimalist, almost iconographic appearance. If you want to go full "Wrigley," consider adding a small "KrebStar" logo somewhere nearby as a subtle nod to the show's fictional mega-corporation.